Time Out
Well-Known Member
The pontoon crossing with outboard is a common feature at a number of overseas shows. The Thames would certainly present challenges but could easily be done.
Boats not allowed under hammersmith bridge
- Thread starter jrudge
- Start date
Scholar Gypsy
Active Member
Yes I have been entertaining myself designing such a system !!
Outinthedinghy
Well-Known Member
Just saw a boat called "Quid Itch" on a wagon out of Marlow towards the Motorway link road.
Looked like a princess 30DS or similar. I wonder if it's one of the boats blocked by Emma Smith bridge closure.
Looked like a princess 30DS or similar. I wonder if it's one of the boats blocked by Emma Smith bridge closure.
steve yates
Well-Known Member
Ok, that makes a difference then. It's one thing to be spotted going through and fined, another entirely to be ordered away and then try and dodge them and sail through. Especially if your top speed is 6 knots
.Thtas more akin to crashing a police road block, which would lead to a criminal record.
ProDave
Well-Known Member
There is more about the fault with the bridge here Pedestal cracks closed Hammersmith Bridge
The cracks appear to be in the cast iron support pedestals.
Now I am no structural engineer, but I would have said most of the loading on those is in compression.
Sure there are issues that need fixing (siezed up joints that should rotate) so they want to keep vehicles off it so the bridge does not flex until fixed. But I would be exceedingly surprised if the bridge was in any serious danger of actually collapsing any time soon.
It looks to me like serious arse covering.
The cracks appear to be in the cast iron support pedestals.
Now I am no structural engineer, but I would have said most of the loading on those is in compression.
Sure there are issues that need fixing (siezed up joints that should rotate) so they want to keep vehicles off it so the bridge does not flex until fixed. But I would be exceedingly surprised if the bridge was in any serious danger of actually collapsing any time soon.
It looks to me like serious arse covering.
Outinthedinghy
Well-Known Member
I bet it's a clause in an insurance contract.
Insurance is the porn of the devil.
Insurance is the porn of the devil.
TrueBlue
Well-Known Member
I thought the cast iron pillars had large and long cracks in them with the risk that the suspension cables creat a shear force and the whole roadway could descend into the mud with a loud splosh! (technical term......).
plumbob
Well-Known Member
It's a Nimbus. Been at Harleyford for a number of years. She's recently sold.
Outinthedinghy
Well-Known Member
From this video I get the impression the council are disowning the bridge as they say that the funding for repairs will NOT be coming from LBHF residents. It will have to be central gov funding. And/or TFL.
No expert but if I was a TFL planner I think a new bridge would look a lot better !! How well protected is a grade 2 monument? Will we get protestors climbing on it if it is decided to take it down?
Interesting.
Why do I get the feeling boats are not very important in this subject ?
Watch the confident man just after 5:00.
From this article on LBHF website.
133-year-old Hammersmith Bridge closed due to urgent safety concerns
No expert but if I was a TFL planner I think a new bridge would look a lot better !! How well protected is a grade 2 monument? Will we get protestors climbing on it if it is decided to take it down?
Interesting.
Why do I get the feeling boats are not very important in this subject ?
Watch the confident man just after 5:00.
From this article on LBHF website.
133-year-old Hammersmith Bridge closed due to urgent safety concerns
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Lower Limit 1909
Well-Known Member
It's a public policy mess and has been for 5 decades. If the finger can be pointed anywhere it has to be at successive central governments from both parties who have failed to tackle something that will never be resolved by leaving to to local authorities and TFL.
- The Londoners who are responsible for maintaining it and fixing it are the London Borough or Hammersmith and Fulham. Frankly it's not especially useful or needed by the vast majority of their residents so a low priority.
- The Londoners who are most affected - quite a number very significantly as it is a vital route to get onto the tube network and to the nearest major hospital - are typically residents in the London Borough of Richmond.
- For TFL it's a vital part of the network and with it fully closed to even foot passengers it's currently a dead end for several bus routes that go nowhere. TFL have even less money than the above LAs.
Whether is should be 'retired' and replaced or 'refurbished' is an academic debate until a decision is made as to how to fund either. Ultimately until central government comes up with a solution nothing will happen.
One can only ponder where we would be now if the £16 million of taxpayer money spent on a 'Garden Bridge' that never had a single part constructed had been spent on more preventitive maintenance on Hammersmith Bridge.
I suspect this will only get solved for boaters once the powers to be realise there will be no more Oxford - Cambridge Boat Races until it is fixed.
- The Londoners who are responsible for maintaining it and fixing it are the London Borough or Hammersmith and Fulham. Frankly it's not especially useful or needed by the vast majority of their residents so a low priority.
- The Londoners who are most affected - quite a number very significantly as it is a vital route to get onto the tube network and to the nearest major hospital - are typically residents in the London Borough of Richmond.
- For TFL it's a vital part of the network and with it fully closed to even foot passengers it's currently a dead end for several bus routes that go nowhere. TFL have even less money than the above LAs.
Whether is should be 'retired' and replaced or 'refurbished' is an academic debate until a decision is made as to how to fund either. Ultimately until central government comes up with a solution nothing will happen.
One can only ponder where we would be now if the £16 million of taxpayer money spent on a 'Garden Bridge' that never had a single part constructed had been spent on more preventitive maintenance on Hammersmith Bridge.
I suspect this will only get solved for boaters once the powers to be realise there will be no more Oxford - Cambridge Boat Races until it is fixed.
ProDave
Well-Known Member
It doesn't need to be "fixed" for boat traffic to resume. That only needs someone to declare that without traffic on it, it is not going to spontaneously collapse of it's own accord any time soon.
To restore it for road traffic is going to take a long time and cost a lot of money, and there will no doubt be river closures while the work is ongoing.
To restore it for road traffic is going to take a long time and cost a lot of money, and there will no doubt be river closures while the work is ongoing.
nfluester
Well-Known Member
i get the feeling we are not going to be getting out to the tidal Thames this year, this is going to go on and on
Newbroom
Well-Known Member
I have to agree. I don't think this is going to be resolved quickly. So much so I am having mine trucked down to the south coast next week. Never thought I would say that.
Try and salvage something this season.
Scholar Gypsy
Active Member
A recent newsletter and FAQ from the PLA
Port of London Authority Covid-19 Corona Virus News Special, 19 Aug 2020
https://www.pla.co.uk/Local-authority-emergency-closure-of-Hammersmith-Bridge
and the (pre-existing) proposals for a temporary cycle/footbridge.
Hammersmith Bridge
I took this photo yesterday, while having lunch in one of the pubs on the north bank. Workboats in position both above and below the bridge
Port of London Authority Covid-19 Corona Virus News Special, 19 Aug 2020
https://www.pla.co.uk/Local-authority-emergency-closure-of-Hammersmith-Bridge
and the (pre-existing) proposals for a temporary cycle/footbridge.
Hammersmith Bridge
I took this photo yesterday, while having lunch in one of the pubs on the north bank. Workboats in position both above and below the bridge
Time Out
Well-Known Member
Most importantly how was lunch?
Outinthedinghy
Well-Known Member
Speaking of workboats it seems they are ok to pass under the bridge without it falling on them.
This is the 2 day AIS track for workboat "GUNDOG".
I wonder if this is a bit political. Close the bridge, annoy people and attempt to force the government's hand regarding funding.
LBHF is a Labour council..
This is the 2 day AIS track for workboat "GUNDOG".
I wonder if this is a bit political. Close the bridge, annoy people and attempt to force the government's hand regarding funding.
LBHF is a Labour council..
Scholar Gypsy
Active Member
Very fine, at the blue anchor. Lots of rowers recovering after a strenuous morning outing. A very low tide (0.5m below datum at Richmond, I think).
Blue Anchor London | Pub on the Thames
CJL
Well-Known Member
Reading between the lines it appears to be very political situation and they are happy to inconvenience everybody until the money lands in their lap.
Pump-Out
Well-Known Member
Local press reporting that a military aid request has been filed. Army to build a temporary bridge as getting kids to school is impacted by the closure of Hammersmith Bridge.
If the army supply a bridge I doubt that it will have the ability to allow traffic through, even if passage was granted under the existing bridge. Not that I know anything about army bridges other than what we see in films!
Army asked if they can build a new London bridge over the River Thames
If the army supply a bridge I doubt that it will have the ability to allow traffic through, even if passage was granted under the existing bridge. Not that I know anything about army bridges other than what we see in films!
Army asked if they can build a new London bridge over the River Thames
Outinthedinghy
Well-Known Member
Its a disgrace that the wonderful Thames is closed to navigation. It's not like an accident or act of God. It's not even terrorism. It's just neglect.
Very sad. Sign of the times I guess.
It really isn't a good sign.
Very sad. Sign of the times I guess.
It really isn't a good sign.